Interview with Author Debra Daugherty

Today we welcome author Debra Daugherty on the blog! Check out this interview with her below.

Tell us about your work!
 
Hi, Krysten, and thank you for letting me be a part of your blog today.

I write children’s stories, PBs thru YA. Presently, I have a YA romantic suspense series set in different European cities, two middle grade manuscripts, and several picture books that I have been querying.  My picture book, CALAMITY CAT, was published by MeeGenius in 2013, but sadly, it is no longer in print. THE DRAGON’S RING, an adult fantasy, (I feel it leans more toward YA), was published by Astraea Press/Clean Reads in 2016. I’ve also had two children’s stories published in Guardian Angel Kids’ ezine.
 
What was your favorite book when you were growing up?

I fell in love with LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott. The book was a gift from an aunt, and I read it over and over. The character, Jo March, inspired me to be a writer. None of my manuscripts were burned like hers, but I did lose one on my computer, THE DRAGON’S RING. I rewrote it, and it ended up being published.
 
What is your favorite book as an adult?

My list is constantly changing. I am a Jane Austen fan and love all her books. As a picture book author, I find myself drawn to that genre. THE REMEMBER BALLOONS by Jessie Oliveros touched me deeply as I cared for an aunt who had Alzheimer’s. I enjoy the Tudor Court novels by Philippa Gregory, stories of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII.
 
I always reread my favorite books. Do you reread books and if so, which one(s) have you read over again?

Yes! I reread my favorite books all the time. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen, and LITTLE WOMEN both have worn covers. I also have read many times THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK. Her story should never be forgotten, and I often wonder what books she might have written had she lived.
 
Who are some of your favorite authors?

I feel like I’m repeating myself, but Jane Austen tops my list. Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, Philippa Gregory, Dr. Seuss, Louisa May Alcott, Krysten Lindsay Hagar (I love your Landry stories!), Pat Zietlow Miller, Tara Lazar, and so many others, I’d fill ten pages.
 
A lot of creatives (artists, writers, musicians) have talked about how the pandemic has impacted their creativity. How has it been for you?

In the first few months I’ve noticed a change in my writing. There were days I had nothing to say. The words wouldn’t come. Since I couldn’t write, I decided to offer help with critiques. I traded manuscripts with several authors, and by reading their pages and offering suggestions, I found my love to write return. I’ve since written two new picture book manuscripts, and with help from my critique partners, revised my middle grade novels and one of my YA’s. One of my critique partners lives in Ireland, and I had so much fun reading her story. She used Gaelic words unfamiliar to me. My great grandparents came from Ireland, so I was able to learn some of the lingo they used.
 
What are you working on now?

I am revising and submitting. And for a fall writing contest, FALL WRITING FRENZY, I am working on a story about one of the 14 pictures featured in the contest. It needs to be 200 words or less, which means I will have to do some cutting, but I hope to have it ready by the October 3rd deadline. I have a couple of picture book ideas, but nothing on paper yet.
For anyone interested in this contest, here is the link: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fall-writing-frenzy-contest-2020/

I’d like to thank you, Krysten, for asking me to be a part of your blog today. You had some great questions!

THE DRAGON’S RING by Debra Daugherty
 
Book Blurb: Sir James Trueblood is determined to capture a unicorn so he can marry Princess Isadora. The knight begins his quest, not realizing the Princess is following him in disguise. On his journey, Sir James encounters a witch and a dragon. With the dragon’s ring, his mission is a success, but then he learns the unicorn will die if not set free. Now he has a dilemma; marry the Princess or free the unicorn.
 
Amazon buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Ring-Debra-Daugherty-ebook/dp/B01J73OAUG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=the+dragon%27s+ring+by+debra+daugherty&qid=1599756056&sr=8-3
ISBN 9781621355663
ASIN B01J73OAUG
 
SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/dmddeb  or @dmddeb

Websites: http://ddaugherty329.wixsite.com/authordebradaugherty
https://writing-for-children.webnode.com
https://authordebradaugherty.wordpress.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/DebraDaughertyauthor/

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7579797.Debra_Daugherty

Amazon Author’s Page:
https://www.amazon.com/DebraDaugherty/e/B01K1RUSCG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ddaugherty329

Tumblr: http://authordebradaugherty.tumblr.com/